WEBVTT - Dolphins Initial 53-Man Roster Breakdown, Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel Press Conference Coverage 0:00:00.120 --> 0:00:05.360 To us fires touch style by waddle stuck into the 0:00:05.440 --> 0:00:09.719 end zone of Miami tight tight window. They had to 0:00:09.760 --> 0:00:14.680 get that touchdown on that play. They get it. What 0:00:15.000 --> 0:00:18.840 is up, Dolph fans and welcome to the Drive Time Podcast, 0:00:19.160 --> 0:00:22.919 part of the Miami Dolphins podcast network, covering your team, 0:00:22.960 --> 0:00:27.080 your Miami Dolphins. How's it going? Everybody? I am your host, 0:00:27.200 --> 0:00:31.280 Travis Wingfield And on today's show, it's Roster Announcement Day. 0:00:31.440 --> 0:00:35.120 Something we've done at various checkpoints this offseason is to 0:00:35.200 --> 0:00:38.559 recap the roster at those milestone stages, and we'll do 0:00:38.640 --> 0:00:41.120 it one last time. We're gonna go over the entire 0:00:41.240 --> 0:00:44.159 fifty three man roster, tell you some notes and stats 0:00:44.240 --> 0:00:47.960 on each guy from their camp and preseason performances. That 0:00:48.000 --> 0:00:50.800 will also hear from head coach Mike McDaniel and general 0:00:50.880 --> 0:00:54.240 manager Chris Career at their Tuesday press conference, and will 0:00:54.240 --> 0:00:57.120 continue to remember the greatness that was Jason Jenkins from 0:00:57.160 --> 0:01:00.000 the Baptist Health Studios inside the Baptist Health Training Company. 0:01:00.240 --> 0:01:08.520 This is the Drivetime. The fifty three man roster was 0:01:08.560 --> 0:01:12.320 made official this afternoon. The initial fifty three man roster 0:01:12.400 --> 0:01:16.080 because of course, with all kinds of activity around the league, 0:01:16.200 --> 0:01:19.600 changes could happen. We'll get practice squad announcements on a 0:01:19.720 --> 0:01:23.840 later episode as well, but this is gonna cover most 0:01:24.120 --> 0:01:27.360 of the basis today as we start by just telling 0:01:27.360 --> 0:01:30.280 you who the cast of characters are on your Miami 0:01:30.360 --> 0:01:35.920 Dolphins for today. On August and real quick, my brother 0:01:36.040 --> 0:01:39.520 had his third child today as a little boy, his son, 0:01:39.640 --> 0:01:43.360 So congratulations my brother, as well as his other son 0:01:43.760 --> 0:01:45.880 on the same birthday, so he has two kids with 0:01:45.959 --> 0:01:48.559 the same birthday, So happy birthday, Max, and happy birthday 0:01:48.600 --> 0:01:50.560 to his new son coming into the world as well. 0:01:50.920 --> 0:01:54.080 The Dolphins roster here quarterback to a tongue of Vloa, 0:01:54.200 --> 0:01:57.560 Teddy Bridgewater, Skyler Thompson. I don't think any real surprises. 0:01:57.600 --> 0:02:01.000 They're based upon the exhibition. Sy is him at running 0:02:01.040 --> 0:02:06.480 back slash fullback, Chase Edmonds, Savan akhmed alec Ingold, Raheem Moster, 0:02:07.480 --> 0:02:10.640 and Miles Gaskin. The U dub Backs ride once more 0:02:11.000 --> 0:02:16.080 wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Cedric Wilson Jr. Trent Sherfield, Jalen Waddle, 0:02:16.280 --> 0:02:19.200 Eric Azukama. I think there are no surprises in that 0:02:19.240 --> 0:02:21.440 group as well. That was pretty much the top five 0:02:21.440 --> 0:02:23.560 guys throughout the course of camp. In terms of playing 0:02:23.560 --> 0:02:28.200 time and production. Tight end Tanner Connor, Durham Smith, Seethan Carter, 0:02:28.600 --> 0:02:31.440 Hunter Long, and Mike Gasicki. I think Tanner Connor is 0:02:31.440 --> 0:02:32.799 the one that kind of catches your eye. The a 0:02:32.880 --> 0:02:35.160 U d F A out of Idaho State, a wide 0:02:35.200 --> 0:02:37.480 receiver Convert who's been injured for a couple of weeks, 0:02:37.600 --> 0:02:39.639 but he himself won hell of a camp. Along the 0:02:39.720 --> 0:02:44.000 offensive line, Connor Williams, Michael Dieter, Robert Jones, Robert Hunt, 0:02:44.240 --> 0:02:48.040 to Ron Armstead, Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg and Greg Little. 0:02:48.080 --> 0:02:49.880 So you're three guys that were not part of that 0:02:49.919 --> 0:02:53.760 first team line in the entire summer. Between Deeter, Jones 0:02:53.800 --> 0:02:56.399 and Little, you have Deeter who can play all three 0:02:56.400 --> 0:02:59.240 interior spots and has played tackle before, although it's not 0:02:59.320 --> 0:03:02.560 his primary. Greg Little plays some tackle as well, and 0:03:02.560 --> 0:03:05.000 then Robert Jones can play across the entire line besides 0:03:05.040 --> 0:03:09.200 that center position. So good versatility on your backups. Defensive line, 0:03:09.320 --> 0:03:13.280 John Jenkins, Emmanuel Ogba, Zack Seeler, Christian Wilkins, and ray 0:03:13.360 --> 0:03:18.040 Kwon Davis. Zero surprises there. Linebacker Melvin Ingram, Jalen Phillips, 0:03:18.240 --> 0:03:22.160 Andrew Van Gingle Duke Riley, Sam Egg, Von Channing, Tindall, 0:03:22.440 --> 0:03:25.679 a Land and Roberts, Jerome Baker and Trey Flowers the 0:03:25.760 --> 0:03:28.480 late edition there and as far as the Jurge number goes, 0:03:28.520 --> 0:03:29.960 we don't have a number for him yet, so that's 0:03:30.000 --> 0:03:32.240 why he goes to the bottom the list. Defensive Backs 0:03:32.320 --> 0:03:37.480 Javon Holland, Noah Igbanagheny, Eric Rowe, Elijah Campbell, Xavian Howard, 0:03:37.520 --> 0:03:41.640 key On Crossing, Brandon Jones, kator Cohu, Nick Needham and 0:03:41.720 --> 0:03:46.520 Clayton Federalum and your specialist Thomas Morristead, Jason Sanders and 0:03:46.600 --> 0:03:48.960 Blake Ferguson. I think the big news of the day 0:03:49.000 --> 0:03:52.240 pup for Byron Jones, which means he will miss the 0:03:52.240 --> 0:03:55.280 first four games of the season, and on injured reserve 0:03:55.600 --> 0:03:58.880 linebacker Brennan Scarlett. So that is your roster update. Let's 0:03:58.880 --> 0:04:00.400 go ahead and break it down now and go back 0:04:00.400 --> 0:04:02.880 to the quarterback position. With three qbs. I want to 0:04:02.920 --> 0:04:06.320 talk about the camp production, preseason production, some fun stats 0:04:06.360 --> 0:04:09.520 about every player on this Dolphins roster, and we start 0:04:09.760 --> 0:04:12.000 at the quarterback position with two A tongue of Byloa 0:04:12.520 --> 0:04:15.960 and the improvements I think we saw from a year 0:04:15.960 --> 0:04:19.200 ago in his game and those intermediate throws all camp long, 0:04:20.160 --> 0:04:23.800 eighteens like you guys saw it on my timeline tweeting 0:04:23.839 --> 0:04:27.520 about those chunk games all throughout practice the ball placement 0:04:27.560 --> 0:04:31.040 to create rack. Nobody averaged more yards this preseason than 0:04:31.040 --> 0:04:34.159 the Dolphins per play. And it's the mastery of the offense. 0:04:34.200 --> 0:04:36.839 And I thought accelerated every single day from getting through 0:04:36.880 --> 0:04:41.240 his check his progressions, getting the ball out quickly to 0:04:41.360 --> 0:04:43.479 the checkdown. Don't waste your time, get to them early. 0:04:43.520 --> 0:04:45.800 Let them make plays in space. We see that with 0:04:45.839 --> 0:04:48.560 all the players on this roster that can make big plays. 0:04:48.560 --> 0:04:51.120 My fun stat for Ta and really they all were 0:04:51.120 --> 0:04:53.680 good because he played so well as preseason six of 0:04:53.760 --> 0:04:56.320 eight on throws that were ten plus air yards for 0:04:56.360 --> 0:04:58.599 a hundred and twenty four yards and a touchdown. That's 0:04:58.600 --> 0:05:02.160 a one fifty six point repasser rating, just two points 0:05:02.160 --> 0:05:05.840 lower than the maximum. Teddy Bridgewater, as advertised, the kind 0:05:05.839 --> 0:05:07.760 of guy you feel good about coming into the game 0:05:07.760 --> 0:05:10.680 off the bench in a pinch through with accuracy, made 0:05:10.680 --> 0:05:13.599 some plays when the pocket broke down. That play where 0:05:13.640 --> 0:05:16.000 he wheeled out from pressure versus Las Vegas and put 0:05:16.040 --> 0:05:18.839 perfect touch on the past and Mike GASICKI. That sure 0:05:19.000 --> 0:05:21.200 was nice and I love this stat. He averaged two 0:05:21.240 --> 0:05:23.640 point eight three seconds time to throw with an a 0:05:23.800 --> 0:05:27.080 dot of ten yards on average going down the football field. 0:05:27.240 --> 0:05:30.120 Skyler Thompson, the armed talent, pops off that throw to 0:05:30.320 --> 0:05:33.479 Zoo Kama in the game, falling away fifty yards down 0:05:33.480 --> 0:05:36.200 the field. He can flat out sling it. You saw 0:05:36.200 --> 0:05:38.200 it out here at training camp. The ability to go 0:05:38.279 --> 0:05:41.080 off script and extent plays. We saw him sometimes, you know, 0:05:41.160 --> 0:05:43.040 move off of his spot, but keep his eyes down 0:05:43.080 --> 0:05:45.360 field and make plays after the fact. He had a 0:05:45.400 --> 0:05:48.880 fantastic preseason that resulted in a one thirty eight point 0:05:48.920 --> 0:05:51.640 four passer rating. Uh he was one thirty eight point 0:05:51.680 --> 0:05:54.960 seven when not blitzed, one twelve point five win blitzed, 0:05:55.240 --> 0:05:58.360 one forty nine point two when kept clean, and ninety 0:05:58.440 --> 0:06:02.159 point nine under pressure. Those are all really really good numbers. 0:06:02.440 --> 0:06:05.160 As a whole, the room through six touchdowns, didn't turn 0:06:05.240 --> 0:06:08.440 the ball over this preseason and only took five sacks 0:06:08.480 --> 0:06:11.520 in the entire preseason. That's really really good to me. 0:06:11.680 --> 0:06:13.840 This is the deepest the Dolphins quarterback room has been 0:06:18.240 --> 0:06:22.359 since oh man, the nineties. I don't know, it's been 0:06:22.360 --> 0:06:26.560 a long time running backs and fullbacks Chase Edmonds, the footwork, 0:06:26.600 --> 0:06:31.159 the choppy cuts without deceleration on his track for whatever 0:06:31.160 --> 0:06:33.279 type of run. It is the decision making and the 0:06:33.320 --> 0:06:36.680 acceleration through the gaps, the brilliant football mind, knowing when 0:06:36.720 --> 0:06:39.160 to get out, knowing how to scan protect, knowing how 0:06:39.160 --> 0:06:41.200 to break off his routes at a certain time, and 0:06:41.240 --> 0:06:43.680 then the pro the prowess he has in that passing game. 0:06:43.800 --> 0:06:46.080 He caught two balls and ran for seventeen yards after 0:06:46.120 --> 0:06:48.960 those catches for a total of twenty one. He looks 0:06:49.000 --> 0:06:52.120 like the real deal. Savan Akhmed next in order of 0:06:52.320 --> 0:06:55.320 jersey number here among running backs. His speed to the perimeter, 0:06:55.320 --> 0:06:56.799 we'll talk about that here in a minute. With Rheem 0:06:56.839 --> 0:06:59.120 Moster and his hands. In the passing game. He catches 0:06:59.160 --> 0:07:01.279 so many balls in those l routes, those flat routes, 0:07:01.400 --> 0:07:03.400 and then he takes off. He can make big plays 0:07:03.440 --> 0:07:06.000 when there's a well blocked play. For you average three 0:07:06.040 --> 0:07:09.840 point oh nine yards after contact. This preseason, alec Ingle 0:07:10.000 --> 0:07:13.040 number thirty is your fullback. We saw it every time 0:07:13.040 --> 0:07:16.160 he was out there at camp lane clearing blocks enough 0:07:16.240 --> 0:07:19.440 athleticism to function as an option in the passing game. 0:07:19.600 --> 0:07:22.040 He didn't get any preseason action, but whether inside the 0:07:22.040 --> 0:07:25.160 A gap or out wide, alec Ingle just cleared lanes 0:07:25.200 --> 0:07:27.720 in practice, whether it's Tyreek Hill running the football out 0:07:27.760 --> 0:07:30.360 wide or any of the backs we just talked about. 0:07:30.640 --> 0:07:34.360 He was a focal part of that offense where he most. 0:07:35.960 --> 0:07:38.680 It's not that I wasn't a believer before I was, 0:07:39.000 --> 0:07:41.320 but that big run against the Eagles really kind of 0:07:41.360 --> 0:07:44.400 made me realize how dynamic he is. And if you're 0:07:44.440 --> 0:07:47.520 not sound on the edges, he will hit explosive runs 0:07:47.520 --> 0:07:49.680 in the run game, and that is such a great 0:07:49.760 --> 0:07:52.640 weapon to have. And you know, we'll talk about the 0:07:52.680 --> 0:07:54.800 room as a hole here in a second, but I 0:07:54.880 --> 0:07:57.800 realized now, I think the mastery of his skill set 0:07:57.840 --> 0:08:00.000 with the way this offense functions, because we talked about 0:08:00.160 --> 0:08:03.240 vertical and horizontal stretch and how both of those work together, 0:08:03.480 --> 0:08:05.720 and you saw two of hitting those play action boots. 0:08:05.760 --> 0:08:08.760 You saw Skyler do it as well. Just really proficient 0:08:08.760 --> 0:08:11.000 in that area of the game and how the running 0:08:11.040 --> 0:08:14.880 game plays off the play action game. The idea of 0:08:14.920 --> 0:08:18.320 this offense to create those windows and spaces with motion, 0:08:18.560 --> 0:08:21.080 with the condensed packages, with the stretch run with the 0:08:21.080 --> 0:08:24.400 play action off of that is that guys have to 0:08:24.520 --> 0:08:27.000 cheat at a certain point to make sure they're defending 0:08:27.040 --> 0:08:29.200 one area, and then if they do cheat into that 0:08:29.240 --> 0:08:32.520 one area, you make them pay for it with the 0:08:32.600 --> 0:08:35.480 misdirection off the other side. So when you see where 0:08:35.480 --> 0:08:37.280 he mos start win the edge on the twenty six 0:08:37.400 --> 0:08:40.000 yard rush up the sideline, all of a sudden, the 0:08:40.000 --> 0:08:41.760 rest of the game you're thinking, if I have to 0:08:41.800 --> 0:08:44.840 get around that block because if I get hemmed inside, 0:08:45.320 --> 0:08:48.120 he's too fast for me to make up that extra step. 0:08:48.200 --> 0:08:50.200 So I have to get out there because they'll just 0:08:50.240 --> 0:08:52.200 do that all game. The Niners did that for years. 0:08:52.200 --> 0:08:53.920 Just run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, 0:08:54.080 --> 0:08:55.800 and you can't stop it. We're gonna keep doing it. 0:08:56.280 --> 0:08:58.400 So the minute they start taking those false steps and 0:08:58.800 --> 0:09:03.000 overplaying out the back gate comes Tyreek kill Jalen Waddle 0:09:03.160 --> 0:09:04.720 to a tongue of by Low and his you know, 0:09:04.760 --> 0:09:07.760 exceptional throwing on the run. I think that most are 0:09:08.880 --> 0:09:11.240 might be one of the guys that really is kind 0:09:11.240 --> 0:09:13.280 of under the radar in terms of how important he 0:09:13.280 --> 0:09:15.000 can be in this offense. And I think we saw 0:09:15.040 --> 0:09:17.959 that in that one single run. But you know, rushing 0:09:18.920 --> 0:09:21.040 the football, and this is why I like, I'm so 0:09:21.120 --> 0:09:24.320 big into explosive plays that running back position e p 0:09:24.400 --> 0:09:27.520 A is a stat that measures effectiveness expected points added. 0:09:27.840 --> 0:09:29.800 Running the ball does not have the same impact as 0:09:29.800 --> 0:09:32.280 passing the ball does, because you go from averaging. You know, 0:09:32.520 --> 0:09:34.520 four yards per carry is a good average. Eight yards 0:09:34.520 --> 0:09:38.400 per passes a good average. Like it's doubly important to 0:09:38.440 --> 0:09:40.680 throw the ball well right because of that, because of 0:09:40.720 --> 0:09:44.079 the the overall tangible impact. But Raheem is the kind 0:09:44.080 --> 0:09:45.719 of back that can flip that script. He had those 0:09:45.720 --> 0:09:48.280 two runs. One doesn't change the game at all with 0:09:48.360 --> 0:09:50.480 a three yard run, but a twenty six yard run 0:09:50.520 --> 0:09:52.000 does change the game. It can change a drive, it 0:09:52.000 --> 0:09:54.199 can change field position, it can put points on the board. 0:09:54.480 --> 0:09:56.600 That's why he's been a five yards average per carry 0:09:56.600 --> 0:09:58.920 guys whole career. He's a big play machine and I 0:09:59.000 --> 0:10:01.960 love that, and I think I think I finally understand 0:10:02.200 --> 0:10:04.680 the perfect fit that he is in this offense. Miles 0:10:04.760 --> 0:10:07.640 Gascon ran his butt off this offseason, reminding me of 0:10:07.640 --> 0:10:10.680 the Hard Knocks episode where Deuce Staley was imploring DeAndre 0:10:10.800 --> 0:10:13.280 Swift to be a guy that's hungry for every single 0:10:13.320 --> 0:10:15.679 inch you get out there. That's Miles Gascon to a t. 0:10:16.000 --> 0:10:19.720 He averaged four yards after contact this preseason, four miss 0:10:19.760 --> 0:10:23.040 tackles on fourteen runs. The room as a whole average 0:10:23.080 --> 0:10:26.200 three yards after an initial contact, and that speed just 0:10:26.240 --> 0:10:28.680 does not quit in this position group. It stresses the 0:10:28.760 --> 0:10:31.679 defense on those outside runs. Here's a cool staff from 0:10:31.679 --> 0:10:34.520 Warren Sharp about e p A per rush and the 0:10:34.600 --> 0:10:37.920 yards before contact per rush, which is a measure of 0:10:38.160 --> 0:10:41.440 run blocking. Right Miami average one point five two yards 0:10:41.480 --> 0:10:44.440 before contact per rush. That was fourth in the NFL 0:10:44.520 --> 0:10:49.320 this preseason, basically telling you the Dolphins run blocked the 0:10:49.400 --> 0:10:52.160 fourth best. In the preseason. They were eight in e 0:10:52.280 --> 0:10:55.320 p A per rush. Backs and line getting it done 0:10:55.320 --> 0:10:58.360 in the exhibition season at wide receiver Tyreek Hill. You 0:10:58.400 --> 0:11:00.760 know about the physical skills. The two things that I 0:11:00.880 --> 0:11:03.280 learned about Tyreek this summer is the way he works 0:11:03.280 --> 0:11:06.440 the conditioning, Uh, just out there every day going balls 0:11:06.440 --> 0:11:09.200 to the wall. And then the polish of his route running. 0:11:09.360 --> 0:11:12.320 I talked about it on the Film Recap podcast where 0:11:12.320 --> 0:11:15.600 he presses and presses until he can't press anymore to 0:11:15.760 --> 0:11:19.000 force a guy into, you know, being slower to react. 0:11:19.240 --> 0:11:21.480 Just go watch that crossing role. See what I'm talking about. 0:11:21.640 --> 0:11:23.960 So polished and the angles he takes and the way 0:11:24.000 --> 0:11:27.480 he you know, finishes his routes. Two passing game snaps, 0:11:27.480 --> 0:11:30.960 two catches sixty four yards. It's so stupid, it's like 0:11:31.040 --> 0:11:33.560 video game numbers. I don't use PF grays in here, 0:11:33.559 --> 0:11:35.960 but he got a nine point one offensive grade for that. 0:11:36.000 --> 0:11:39.200 Like he's only two points away from perfection. Cedric Wilson 0:11:39.320 --> 0:11:43.120 nuanced and salvy, savvy nature of his game save always 0:11:43.160 --> 0:11:45.080 angles his routes back to the quarterback, a guy that 0:11:45.120 --> 0:11:47.800 you can trust to keep it out of the defender's hands, 0:11:47.800 --> 0:11:50.320 and tight coverage and on fifty fifty balls, he caught 0:11:50.360 --> 0:11:53.079 all four of his preseason targets two point three seven 0:11:53.160 --> 0:11:55.880 yards per route, ran eleven point one yards per target. 0:11:55.920 --> 0:11:58.319 Those numbers are going to be consistent here at receiver 0:11:58.360 --> 0:12:01.840 and tight end throughout this entire group. Trent Sherfield the 0:12:01.920 --> 0:12:05.160 Brotherhood routes that he runs where you run to occupy 0:12:05.320 --> 0:12:08.200 areas and space for your teammates to clear out. Tough 0:12:08.240 --> 0:12:11.520 as hell sets up his routes well, those things rhyme, 0:12:11.840 --> 0:12:15.040 and just like Cedric, he is very trustworthy, comes back 0:12:15.040 --> 0:12:17.520 to the football and fights for everything. He caught all 0:12:17.520 --> 0:12:20.000 three of his targets this preseason for sixty four yards 0:12:20.120 --> 0:12:22.920 two point five six yards per route, ran twenty point 0:12:22.960 --> 0:12:25.560 two yards per target. These numbers are crazy. I'm telling you, 0:12:26.120 --> 0:12:29.360 Jalen Waddle. I'll use coaches comments here because Jalen it's 0:12:29.360 --> 0:12:32.199 supersteds everything I can say about him. His jump from 0:12:32.200 --> 0:12:33.840 O T A S to camp in terms of learning 0:12:33.880 --> 0:12:36.640 the offense was the best according to Mike McDaniel, and 0:12:36.679 --> 0:12:39.400 that pair with his physical skill sets, the twick twitch, 0:12:39.440 --> 0:12:42.440 the release package. You know Marlon Humphrey last year saying 0:12:42.440 --> 0:12:44.520 this is a top ten receiver in this league. There 0:12:44.600 --> 0:12:46.600 was so much meat on the bone in the vertical 0:12:46.600 --> 0:12:48.960 passing game for him last year couldn't get to I 0:12:49.000 --> 0:12:51.679 expect that to change this year. This offense was highly 0:12:51.720 --> 0:12:54.559 productive this preseason and they did it without their second 0:12:54.600 --> 0:12:57.680 most dangerous man and Jalen Waddle didn't play in the preseason. 0:12:57.720 --> 0:12:59.800 But man, this guy is gonna be a force. Eric 0:13:00.040 --> 0:13:03.400 Zookama the balance and physicality and strong hands, the way 0:13:03.440 --> 0:13:06.199 he plucks it and stays on his feet after all 0:13:06.240 --> 0:13:09.760 that contact. He caught ten of fifteen targets this preseason 0:13:09.920 --> 0:13:11.880 with an average depth of target at ten point or 0:13:11.920 --> 0:13:15.800 twelve point five over ten yards per target on fifteen targets. 0:13:16.000 --> 0:13:19.240 That's a great preseason. These other averages we're talking about here, 0:13:19.280 --> 0:13:23.520 are you know, three or four targets. He did it 0:13:23.600 --> 0:13:25.960 on fifteen targets. That is great production from the rookie 0:13:26.200 --> 0:13:28.760 at tight end Tanner Conner. His speed stood out man, 0:13:28.760 --> 0:13:31.240 the way he caught and ran away from guys at 0:13:31.280 --> 0:13:33.840 that tight end position. The week of practice he had 0:13:33.880 --> 0:13:36.480 and the game in Tampa Bay was like, oh wow, 0:13:36.480 --> 0:13:38.720 he can play. He caught all three of us targets 0:13:38.720 --> 0:13:41.120 for twenty five yards eight point two yards per target. 0:13:41.280 --> 0:13:44.400 Durham Smith a multifaceted player who can help out in 0:13:44.400 --> 0:13:46.360 the running game and in the past protection game. He 0:13:46.440 --> 0:13:50.079 caught his loan preseason target for ten yards, zero pressures 0:13:50.120 --> 0:13:52.800 allowed on eight pass blocking snaps for him. Sethan carter 0:13:52.920 --> 0:13:54.920 I thought he played well on that quasi tight end 0:13:55.040 --> 0:13:57.800 h back fullback role in the Philly game special teams 0:13:57.800 --> 0:14:00.080 guy as well, kind of touchdown, passed and had a 0:14:00.080 --> 0:14:02.520 really good block to spring where he mostart on that 0:14:02.559 --> 0:14:06.120 twenty six yards scamper Hunter long route running was really 0:14:06.200 --> 0:14:08.160 nice in the games. Saw it and practiced two over 0:14:08.160 --> 0:14:10.000 the last couple of weeks. The way he anchored and 0:14:10.000 --> 0:14:12.079 passed pro and helped kind of dent the edge in 0:14:12.080 --> 0:14:14.040 the running game. He just had a really good preseason, 0:14:14.040 --> 0:14:16.840 I thought, caught three or four targets for thirty two yards. 0:14:16.880 --> 0:14:19.280 That's eight yards per target. And then Mike get sicky 0:14:19.400 --> 0:14:21.920 the high ball mastery back of the end zone, plucking 0:14:21.960 --> 0:14:24.160 balls off the top of guys helmets, the catch radius 0:14:24.280 --> 0:14:26.480 when he builds up that speed a guy that's faster 0:14:26.520 --> 0:14:28.760 than he is quick. He caught five of eight targets 0:14:28.760 --> 0:14:31.160 for fifty eight yards at two point one five yards 0:14:31.160 --> 0:14:33.800 per route ran. And just the combination of these two 0:14:33.840 --> 0:14:36.760 rooms total receiver and tight end. The speed stands out, 0:14:36.760 --> 0:14:39.080 the playmaking, the run after the catch, the ability to 0:14:39.160 --> 0:14:42.480 kind of you know, understand spacing and run routes within 0:14:42.520 --> 0:14:44.920 this offense, I think are all big upgrades from a 0:14:44.960 --> 0:14:47.040 season ago. Let's take a break right there and come 0:14:47.080 --> 0:14:49.600 back and break down the offensive line and defense. That's 0:14:49.600 --> 0:14:52.720 next here on the Drivetime Podcast, your host Travis Wingfield, 0:14:52.840 --> 0:15:02.040 brought to you by Auto Nation. Back here on the 0:15:02.160 --> 0:15:06.360 Drive Time Podcast, a Tuesday fifty three man roster announcement 0:15:06.480 --> 0:15:09.040 edition of the Drivetime Podcast. Let's pick this back up 0:15:09.080 --> 0:15:12.280 and go back to the offensive line. Connor Williams number 0:15:12.280 --> 0:15:14.600 fifty eight, first on your list here. His strength at 0:15:14.640 --> 0:15:16.960 the point of attack, the chippiness with which he plays 0:15:16.960 --> 0:15:19.200 to kind of get guys piste off. I like that 0:15:19.240 --> 0:15:22.040 about his game and the relationship between his hands and 0:15:22.080 --> 0:15:24.720 feet and how that helps him with hand placement which 0:15:24.720 --> 0:15:26.880 then helps him turn guys out of gaps. Such a 0:15:26.920 --> 0:15:28.640 smart player, I think he's gonna be a big part 0:15:28.640 --> 0:15:31.680 of getting these calls right up front for the offensive line. 0:15:32.000 --> 0:15:35.360 Zero pressures allowed in seventeen pass blocking snaps, and I 0:15:35.400 --> 0:15:38.400 talked about his run game work in the Monday Rewatch podcast. 0:15:38.640 --> 0:15:40.680 He did some real nice work turning guys out of 0:15:40.680 --> 0:15:44.400 their gaps all preseason long. Michael Dieter versatile, valuable piece 0:15:44.440 --> 0:15:46.720 in that room that allows you to be super flexible 0:15:47.040 --> 0:15:48.600 if you call him into the game, like you can 0:15:48.640 --> 0:15:51.080 bump him the center. Williams can go to guard, you 0:15:51.080 --> 0:15:53.240 can move Eikenberg to tackle. Like if you lose a guy, 0:15:53.520 --> 0:15:55.320 Deeter can be the guy that kind of is that 0:15:55.440 --> 0:15:58.080 solve your you know, flexile wapp that thing on that 0:15:58.160 --> 0:16:00.280 tube and say let's go out on the river in 0:16:00.320 --> 0:16:02.640 our boat that's been repaired by tape. Michael Dieter can 0:16:02.640 --> 0:16:05.480 be your flexile tape that way. Two pressures allowed, both 0:16:05.480 --> 0:16:08.600 for hurries. No quarterback hits on fifty six pass blocking 0:16:08.640 --> 0:16:11.560 snaps in the preseason. That's a good number. Robert Jones 0:16:11.600 --> 0:16:14.280 has a massive base, strong hands, and a sturdy anchor. 0:16:14.480 --> 0:16:17.800 I liked the way he improved his redirect and mirror ability. 0:16:18.080 --> 0:16:21.520 He has position flexibility and no quarterback hits on sixty 0:16:21.560 --> 0:16:24.440 five preseason snaps and pass blocking Robert Hunt what a 0:16:24.520 --> 0:16:28.280 camp preseason this dude had. Seeing his athletic platic ability 0:16:28.320 --> 0:16:31.800 really came out that second level ability his work in space. 0:16:32.080 --> 0:16:33.840 I think he's gonna have a heck of a season. 0:16:34.040 --> 0:16:36.320 He's also strong as hell on a phone booth. He 0:16:36.360 --> 0:16:39.960 allowed two pressures on pass blocking snaps, but really good 0:16:40.080 --> 0:16:43.560 rushing average off of his backside to either gap, both 0:16:43.600 --> 0:16:46.280 over five yards per carry per Pro Football Focus to 0:16:46.440 --> 0:16:50.200 Ron Armstead is teaching tape man. He's patient, has great 0:16:50.200 --> 0:16:52.520 pass sets, he knows how to get to his landmarks 0:16:52.520 --> 0:16:54.840 and when to get to them, great feet, great hands 0:16:54.840 --> 0:16:57.320 that work together. A continent pro and a true leader. 0:16:57.440 --> 0:16:59.360 One of the best left tackles in the NFL. He 0:16:59.400 --> 0:17:02.280 did not play the preseason Austin Jackson, where he got 0:17:02.320 --> 0:17:04.400 a lot better for me is the balance, the lean 0:17:04.520 --> 0:17:06.879 and the weight transfer. That all looks really really good. 0:17:07.119 --> 0:17:09.119 He can run guys around that arc, but now has 0:17:09.119 --> 0:17:12.320 shown the ability to redirect and transfer back inside because 0:17:12.320 --> 0:17:14.680 he's not getting out over his skis, He's not trying 0:17:14.720 --> 0:17:17.040 to lunch for those blocks. He's staying within himself and 0:17:17.160 --> 0:17:19.840 been so consistent the way he trust his athletic ability 0:17:20.119 --> 0:17:22.919 and sheer strength that he offers. I always thought he 0:17:22.960 --> 0:17:25.040 was a plus run blocker, and we saw him seal 0:17:25.160 --> 0:17:27.440 that edge on that big most run the other night. 0:17:27.560 --> 0:17:30.080 Had a good camp in preseason. One pressure allowed on 0:17:30.680 --> 0:17:34.159 pass blocking snaps. Liam Eichenberg. His work as a pulling 0:17:34.200 --> 0:17:36.080 guard leading up with sure fund to watch in that 0:17:36.160 --> 0:17:39.440 last game, just like Austin. I think his balance looks improved. 0:17:39.560 --> 0:17:41.160 I think he's finding a real home with that left 0:17:41.160 --> 0:17:43.840 guard spot. Zero pressure is allowed in twenty five pass 0:17:43.840 --> 0:17:47.840 blocking snaps this preseason. Greg Little, he had an excellent 0:17:47.880 --> 0:17:50.160 showing on Saturday, didn't he. I love what Coach said 0:17:50.200 --> 0:17:53.239 about him maximizing his opportunity with mental reps when he 0:17:53.280 --> 0:17:55.560 was down. There's a great clip by posted of coach 0:17:55.600 --> 0:17:57.639 way back and when we hired him back and was 0:17:57.640 --> 0:18:01.760 it February about um a quarterback camp that he was 0:18:01.800 --> 0:18:03.960 at and guys in the line, we're slacking off and 0:18:03.960 --> 0:18:05.640 not paying attention. He's like, hey, what are you doing 0:18:05.680 --> 0:18:07.720 like you're not taking an opportunity. I'm giving you to 0:18:07.760 --> 0:18:10.560 get better right now every rep your teammate takes, steal 0:18:10.600 --> 0:18:13.040 that rep mentally, so him to apply that to his 0:18:13.040 --> 0:18:15.240 his guys. Here has been a consistent message. And good 0:18:15.240 --> 0:18:17.200 on Greg Little. That's a good uh be a really 0:18:17.280 --> 0:18:19.000 nice hit if we can make a swing tackle out 0:18:19.040 --> 0:18:21.400 of Greg Little. With the late round draft choice last year, 0:18:21.560 --> 0:18:24.560 he ended the preseason as PF's top graded offensive lineman 0:18:24.560 --> 0:18:27.399 from Miami. But more importantly, zero pressure is allowed on 0:18:27.440 --> 0:18:31.879 twenty three pass blocking snaps. Defensively, John Jenkins hang on 0:18:31.920 --> 0:18:34.440 back to the offensive line, the athletic abilities to take away, 0:18:34.480 --> 0:18:36.480 the way those guys move off the ball, fire off 0:18:36.480 --> 0:18:38.800 the ball. I think the scheme fits the player, the 0:18:38.800 --> 0:18:41.760 style player you have so much better than in previous years. 0:18:42.400 --> 0:18:45.800 John Jenkins on the defensive line. He's a mayor type 0:18:45.800 --> 0:18:48.119 of personality, could be the mayor of the entire building. 0:18:48.280 --> 0:18:51.480 Great impact in the locker room. But also he looks 0:18:51.520 --> 0:18:53.200 as good to me as he ever has his bowl 0:18:53.280 --> 0:18:56.400 rush walking guys back into the quarterback. Such a thankless 0:18:56.440 --> 0:18:59.760 but important role in this multifaceted defense that does so 0:19:00.040 --> 0:19:01.920 huch to you know, loop off of that guy and 0:19:02.160 --> 0:19:04.679 run games up front. Plus his run game work. He 0:19:04.680 --> 0:19:06.800 didn't really give an inch in those games, three run 0:19:06.840 --> 0:19:09.080 stops and two pressures on sixty two snaps in a 0:19:09.080 --> 0:19:12.119 position where it's hard to tally stats at that nose tackles. 0:19:12.160 --> 0:19:16.120 But Emmanuel Ogba kind of a unicorn man. He plays 0:19:16.160 --> 0:19:18.959 that true, even front hand in the dirt defensive end 0:19:18.960 --> 0:19:21.399 position that really nobody else in the team does. But 0:19:21.480 --> 0:19:24.320 he can also condense inside and still win with his power. 0:19:24.680 --> 0:19:26.879 His length and heavy hands are a problem off the 0:19:26.960 --> 0:19:29.520 edge Trey Flowers can, by the way, not to mention 0:19:29.560 --> 0:19:31.880 how many passes he rejects as a result of that 0:19:32.160 --> 0:19:34.800 led the NFL in that category last year among defensive lineman. 0:19:34.960 --> 0:19:37.600 He also has a tremendous arsenal of pass rush moves. 0:19:37.760 --> 0:19:41.240 He barely played this exhibition season eighteen snaps, but we've 0:19:41.240 --> 0:19:43.040